Convertible chair.



No. 877,204. PATENTED JAN. 21, 1908.

W. W. LEPARD. CONVERTIBLE GHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT,4.1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Witgesses:

19 NORRIS Fsrzns ca, WASHINGYON, n. c

No. 877,204. PATENTED JAN. 21, 1908.

'W.w. LBPARD.

CONVERTIBLE CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPTA. 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE NORRIS Psrsns ca, wasmmzmu, n. c.

WARREN WARD. LEPARD, OF OTSEGO, MICHIGAN.

CONVERTIBLE CHAIR.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed September 4:1 1906- Serial No. 333.222.

Patented Jan. 21, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WARREN WARD LE- PARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Otsego,-county of Allegan, and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful 1m rovements in Convertible Chairs, of which t 1e following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in convertible chairs.

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide an improved convertible chair which may be readily adapted as or converted into a high-chair, rocking-chair or wheel-chair. Second, to rovide an improved convertible chair, which, chair, has substantially the same appearance as an ordinary rocking-chair. Third, to provide an improved convertible chair which may be easily adjusted from one style of chair to another as desired. Fourth, to provide an improved convertible chair which is comparatively economical to produce.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved convertible chair adjusted as a highchair. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of my improved convertible chair adjusted as a rocking: chair. Fig. 4 is a detail side elevation with the wheels attached, the chair being adjusted as a wheel-chair. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail taken on a line corresponding to line 55 of Fig. 4, showing the details of the wheel attachment. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail of the adjustable step, it being shown in its inoperative position by dotted lines. Fig. 7 is a detail side elevation of a modified form of the lock for retaining the chair in position, when adjusted as a high-chair. Fig. 8 is a detail section taken on a line corresponding to line '88 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a section taken ona line corresponding to line 9*9 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a section taken on a line corresponding to line 1010 of Fig. 8. Fig. 1]. is a side elevation of a modified construction of my improved chair when adjusted as when adjusted as a rocking a high-chair, the back and arms of the seat being omitted. Fig. 12 is a rear elevation of the structure appearing in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the modified construction shown in Fig. 11, adjusted as a rocking chair. I

In .the drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional. views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the seat 1 is of the usual or any desired form and is preferably provided with back and arms similar to the ordinary childs high-chair or rockingchair. Short front legs 2 are rigidly secured to the seat. Short rear legs or links 3, are pivotally secured to the seat by the brackets 19 so as to swing therefrom. The rockers are each formed of two pieces or members arranged side by side and pivotally secured together by a horizontally arranged pivot 5.

The forward end of one member of each rocker is pivotally secured to one of the short front legs 2'. The pivoted legs 3 are pivotally secured to the other rocker members towards the rear end thereof at the rear of the pivot 5, as clearly appears from the drawing. This allows the rear end of these members to swing up under the seat, as is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, when the chair is adjusted as a high-chair, the rocker members then forming extensions for the short legs.

When the chair is adjusted as a rockingchair, these rocker members fold or collapse .down side by side so that they have the appearance of a continuous or single rocker. The lower ends of the pivoted legs are preferably arranged to rest upon the rocker members, which are pivoted to the front legs limiting the upward movement thereof and retaining the members in alinement.

The front legs are preferably braced by the braces 6, as, in adjusting the chair up and down, there is considerable strain thereon and the usual rungs are omitted. When adjusted as a high-chair, the parts are locked, in position by a mechanism preferably consisting of a bail 8, which is pivoted to the rear legs 3 towards their lower ends, the upper end of the bail being arranged over the bar 7 adapted to slide thereon.

A latch 9 is pivoted to the bar 7 and the forward end of this latch is held normally upward by the spring 24 which engages the rear end thereof. When the bail 8 is moved for wardly on the bar 7, the latch 9 swings up behind it looking it in position. The rear end of the latch projects to form a handle. When it is desired to collapse or adjust the chair as a rocking-chair, the rear-end of the latch is lifted upwardly, which releases the bail 8, allowing the lower ends of the'legs 3 to swing rearwardly as the rocker members collapse. To assist in lowering, that is, to prevent the chair dropping and also to assist in lifting the same, when the chair is adjusted as a highchair, a coiled spring 12 is secured to the seat towards its forward end and the rung 25 which connects their lower ends.

In the modified construction of the locking means, shown in Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive, a crank-shaped locking bar is provided. This bar is secured to the under side of the seat by staples 21, its outer ends projecting to engage the upper ends of the rocker members when they are swung upward in adjusting the chair as a high-chair, as clearly appears in these figures. The locking'bar is held normally downward by a spring 23, a stop 22 being provided to limit the downward movement. The ends of the locking bar are preferabl turned upwardly and arranged to enter suitable holes in the seat provided therefor; see Fig. 10, in which the holes are indicated by dotted lines.

When the chair is adjusted as a rockingchair, it is desirable that the step 13 should be folded up out of the way. 1 I, therefore, preferably secure the step to the pivoted rung 27 carried by the front legs. the step is a bracket 14 having a hook 26 arranged to engage a suitable stop on one of the legs when the step is folded down in position, as clearly appears in Fig. 6. A lug 28 projects from the bracket to engage the stop 15 when the step is folded up; This forms a simple and effective support for the step and it can be readily folded down when the chair is adjusted as a high-chair or collapsed out of the way when the chair is adjusted as a rocking-chair.

To convert the chair into a wheel-chair, I provide a pair of axles having wheels 18 thereon. Studs or stems 29 having eyes 1.7 thereon, through which the axles are arranged, are provided, the stems being adapted to be inserted in suitable holes in the under side of the rockers. The wheels are thus detachably secured so that they may be readily attached or detached. as desired.

I While I prefer to remove the wheels, when the chair is used'as a high-chair, they may be left on if desired, as they do not interfere with the adjustment, the forward wheels being secured to the outer rocker members and the rear wheels being secured to the inner rocker members.

In the modified construction shown in Figs. 11, 12, and 13 the rear ends of the rocker members, to which the rear legs or On one end oflinks 3 are connected, are cut off at the point of connection of the legs. This form has the advantage of a slight saving of material and may be considered by some as more attractive in ap earance when adjusted as a highchair. Iii operates, however, upon the same principle.

I have illustrated and described my improved convertible chair in detail in the form preferred by me on account of structural simplicity and convenience. I am aware, however, that it is ca able of considerable variation in structura details without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a convertible chair, the combination of a seat; rigid front legs therefor; rockers, each formed of two pieces or -members arranged side by side and pivotally connected, a member of each rocker being pivoted at its forward end to the lower end of one of the said front legs; rear legs pivotally connected to said seat and to the other rocker members sothat the rear ends of the rocker members may be swung'up when the chair is adjusted as a high-chair, to form extensions for the said rear legs, the said rear legs being arranged to rest on the rocker members which are pivoted to the front legs when the chair is adjusted as a rocking-chair; a bail pivotally connected to said rear legs; a bar over which said bail is slidably arranged secured to the under side of said seat; a pivoted latch ada ted to engage said bail when said chair is ac usted as a high-chair a spring for holding the forward end of said latch normally upward; and a coiled spring connected to said rear legs and to said seat, for the purpose specified.

2. In a convertible chair, the combination of a seat; rigid front legs therefor; rockers, each formed of two pieces or members arranged side by side and pivotally connected, a member of each rocker being pivoted at its forwardend to the lower end of one of the said front legs; rear legs pivotally connected to said seat and to the other rocker members so that the rear ends of the rocker members may be swung up when the chair is adjusted as a highchair, to form extensions for the .said rear legs, the said rear legs being arranged to rest on the rocker members which are pivoted to the front legs when the chair is adjusted as a rocking-chair; means for locking said chair in position when adjusted as a high-chair; and a coiled spring connected to said rear legs and to said seat,'for the purpose specified.

3. In a convertible chair, the combination of a seat rigid front legs therefor; rockers, each formed of two pieces or members arranged side by side and pivotally connected, a member of each rocker being pivoted at its forward end to the lower end of one of the said front legs; rear legs pivotally connected to said seat and to the other rocker members so that the rear ends of the rocker members may be swung up when the chair is adjusted as a high-chair, to form extensions for the said rear legs, the said rear legs being arranged to rest on the rocker mem bers which are ivoted to the front legs when the chair is adjusted as a rocking-chair; a bail pivotally connected to said rear legs; a bar over which said bail is slidably arranged secured to the under side of said seat; a pivoted latch adapted to engage said bail when said chair is adjusted as a highchair; and a spring for holding the forward end of said latch normally upward, for the purpose specified.

4. In a convertible chair, the combination of a seat; rigid front legs therefor; rockers,

each formed of two pieces or members arranged side by side and pivotally connected, a member of each rocker being pivoted at its forward end to the lower end of one of the said front legs; rear legs pivotally connected to said seat and to the other rocker members so that the rear ends of the rocker members may be swung up when-the chair is adjusted as a high-chair, the said rocker members then forming extensions for said legs, the said rear legs being arranged to rest on the rocker members which are pivoted to the front legs when the chair is adjusted as a rockingchair, for the purpose specified.

5. In a convertible chair, the combination of a seat; rigid front legs therefor; rockers, each formed of two pieces or members arranged side by side and pivotally connected, a member of each rocker being pivoted at its forward end to the lower end ofone of the said front legs; rear legs pivotally connected to said seat and to the other rocker members so that the rear ends of the rocker members may be swung up when the chair is adjusted as a high-chair, to form extensions for thesaid rear legs; a bail pivotally connected to said rear legs; a bar over which said bail is slidably arranged secured to the under side of said. seat; a pivoted latch adapted to engage said bail when said chair is adjusted as a high-chair a spring for holding the forward end of said latch normally upward; and a coiled spring connected to said rear legs and to said seat, for the purpose specified.

6. In a convertible chair, the combination of a seat; rigid front legs therefor; rockers, each formed of two pieces or members arranged side by side and pivotally connected, a member of each rocker being pivoted at its forward end to the lower end of one of the said front legs; rear legs pivotally connected to said seat and to the other rocker members so that the rear ends of the rocker members may be swung up when the chair is adjusted as a high-chair, to form extensions for the said rear legs; means for holding said chair in position when adjusted as a high-chair; and a coiled spring connected to said rear legs and to said seat, for the purpose specified.

7. In a convertible chair, the combination of a seat; rigid. front legs therefor; rockers, each formed of two pieces or members arranged side by side and pivotally connected, a member of each rocker being pivoted at its forward end to the lower end of one of the said front legs; rear legs pivotally connected to said seat and to the other rocker members so that the rear ends of the rocker members may be swung up whenthe chair is adjusted as a high-chair, to form extensions for the said rear legs; .a bail pivotally connected to said rear legs; a bar over which said bail is slidably arranged secured to the under side of said seat; a pivoted latch adapted to en gage said bail when said chair'is adjusted as a high-chair; and a spring for holding the forward end of said latch normally upward; for the purpose specified.

8. In a convertible chair, the combination of a seat; rigid front legs therefor; rockers, each comprising a pair of similarly shaped pieces or members arranged side by side, and pivotally connected at a central point, a member of each rocker being pivoted at its forward end to the lower end of one of the said front legs; rear legs pivotally connected to said seat and to the other rocker members so that the rear ends of such rocker members may be swung up when the chair is adjusted as a high-chair to form extensions for the said rear legs, and the forward ends of the rocker members connected to the front legs swung up to form extensions therefor; said rear legs being adapted to engage the said rocker members pivoted to said front legs when. the chair is adjusted as a rocking chair for holding the rocker members in alinement, for the purpose specified.

9. In a convertible chair, the combination of a seat; rigid front legs therefor; rockers, each formed of two pieces or members ar ranged side by side and pivotally connected, a member of each rocker being pivoted at its forward. end to the lower end of one of the said front legs; rear legs pivotally connected to said seat and tothe other rocker members whereby said rocker members form extensions for said. legs when the chair is adjusted as a high-chair; a bail pivotally connected to said rear legs; a latch for said bail; and a coiled spring connected to said rear legs and to said seat, for the purpose specified. v

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

WARREN WARD LEIARD. [a s] 

